Dear ALL,
The Financial Secretary, in his 2010-2011 Budget, proposed to abolish duty-free concessions on tobacco products for incoming passengers to Hong Kong as a means to further protect public health.
To implement the budget proposal, the Dutiable Commodities (Exempted Quantities) (Amendment) Notice 2010 was introduced. Under the proposal, all incoming passengers may carry up to 19 cigarettes, or one stick or 25 grammes of cigar (to cater for the varieties of packaging of cigars in the retail market, incoming passengers who have with them more than one cigar will be subject to a ceiling of 25 grammes), or 25 grammes of other manufactured tobacco products. Incoming passengers will be entitled to only any one kind of tobacco product. It is also proposed to remove the 24-hour rule on time spent outside Hong Kong for entitlement of the duty-free concessions on tobacco products that currently applies to Hong Kong identity card holders. This is to avoid frequent travellers between Hong Kong and the Mainland who may have in their possession small amounts of tobacco products for own consumption being caught for not making the necessary declaration in accordance with the law.
A subcommittee was formed to scrutinize the Notice. It is now inviting public to submit opinions on this Notice by 4 May 2010 (next Tuesday). Being a tobacco control advocate, your support and input to this consultation would be much appreciated.
For details of the submission of views, please kindly visit the link http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/sec/invite_s/sc0720100429.htm
http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/chinese/sec/invite_s/sc0720100429.htm
for further information.
Let’s join hands to support a smoke-free Hong Kong.